New video-post! Shot on the deck! Click here to view.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

WAKE FOREST 7:45 AM: Coffee on the deck, just about knee-deep in pine straw this morning; I’m enjoying 59-degrees and a leafy view that’s literally changing by the hour.

Scout, who would gladly spend every daylight moment out here, is checking things out before settling down at her favorite vantage point.

It’s quiet. Rebekah is on her way to church for an 8:00 meeting, and most of the neighbors have already left for the day. Besides, this is a cul-de-sac, deep in Tyler Run; noise is not really an option around here.

So this is a good time to read my morning meditation (thanks, Upper Room) and spend a little time with the Creator. This morning’s scripture comes from Romans chapter 8:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

CLOSE ENCOUNTER: For some reason my mind wandered back to my walk with Scout yesterday evening. Maybe it was the idea that the Spirit actually gets involved and helps us to pray, that God knows our deepest needs better than we do ourselves.

It was a dark, dark evening, with heavy cloud cover and streetlights mostly blocked by giant trees that must have been saplings when our neighborhood was laid out. As I headed into our street I thought I saw a large shadow move, but I couldn’t be sure. Then, as I passed our neighbor’s front garden, a glimmer of light glanced off a subtle movement, and I stopped to stare into the hedge as Scout stood quietly beside me.

At that moment, almost by design it seemed, the clouds parted in front of the crescent moon and I saw the deer looking back at us, intently, over the low hedge, just an arm’s length away. And there, standing still on the lawn in a half-circle, stood three of his friends, just as close, patiently waiting for us to pass.

But we didn’t pass. We stood there and engaged the beauty of an encounter where the Spirit interceded on my behalf with sighs too deep for words. Because my deepest need at that moment was simply to express my appreciation for this life, and for creation.

THE SPIRIT: It’s also my deep need this morning. Sure, I can write fairly well, and I can take a pretty-good stab at putting voice to the emotions that we all feel when we encounter God in unexpected places. But to express it adequately from my soul to God? That’s where the Spirit comes in.

Over the years, I have become more and more willing to invite God in to the deepest places, and to open up the channels that keep us in constant fellowship every hour and every minute of the day. And sometimes, when I’m at a complete loss for the right words, that’s when the Spirit – in partnership with my deepest needs and longings – does my praying for me.

In love, and because of love – DEREK

ps. Don’t miss today’s short video-post! Click here…